Atari Incorporated

Atari’s pinball division was established under the broader umbrella of Atari, Inc., the innovative entertainment company co-founded by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney in Sunnyvale, California, in June 1972. While Atari became a household name through its pioneering work in electronic games such as Pong, the company made a calculated move into pinball in the mid-1970s to expand its product offerings. Based in Northern California alongside the main corporate offices, the pinball team brought on notable designers and engineers, leveraging Atari’s strong reputation for creativity and advanced technology.

​

Among the earliest pinball releases were “The Atarians” (1976) and “Time 2000” (1977), which featured widebody designs that afforded more playing space, targets, and complex artwork than many contemporary machines. Subsequent titles like “Airborne Avenger” (1977), “Middle Earth” (1978), and “Superman” (1979) further showcased Atari’s willingness to explore inventive themes, helping the division cultivate a small but passionate following. “Hercules” (1979), often cited as the largest commercial pinball machine ever produced, demonstrated Atari’s penchant for pushing boundaries. However, despite these imaginative contributions, Atari’s pinball branch was discontinued in 1979 due to escalating competition and a corporate pivot toward the booming video game sector. Although brief, the pinball division’s legacy endures in the distinctive tables collectors continue to prize for their unique layouts and the pioneering spirit that distinguished Atari’s involvement in the coin-operated amusement industry.